Needle dipper mechanism



Dec. 16, 1952 F. CHATF'I'ELD ETAL I NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM Filed May 9.1949 MACHINE STO PPED G. 2

BRAKE ON CLUTCH 'DISENGAGE FOR NEEDLE DIPPING I M'AGHINE RUNNING 9Sheets-Sheet l BRAKE OFF CLUTCH ENGAGED BRAKE OFF CLUTCH ENGAGED 23 l' lr I 1 a; 64 f 2z E N sAFETYsToP 1 F SOLENOID J3 1 %L"" j CLUTCH'DISENGAGED 48 49 3 6 zsma amm FOR NEEDLE DIPPING 7/ #47 35 {I MACHINERUNNING SOLENOID M 66 INVENTORS FRANKLIN CHATF/ELD STANLEY FP. FOLSOMATTORNE Y5 Dec. 16, 1952 F. CHATFIELD ETAL 2,621,620

- NEEDLE pIPPER MECHANISM Fi led May 9, 1949 9 Sheets- Sheet 2 1N VENTORS F RANKLIN CHATFYELD STANLEY F. Fogso/ r I 2/0 f l,

ATTomswg Dec. 16, 1952 Filed May 9. 1949 MACHINE STOPPED F. CHATFIELDETAL 2,621,620

NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM 9 Shets-Sheet I5 MACHINE RUNNING .BRAKE oN BRAKEon 49 CLUTCH msENGAGEB C CH ENGAGED J i i 3 f 7/ "H l *1 e0 6' 76 E 6/ aBRAKE OFF CLUTCH DISENGAGED J9 FOR NEEDLE DIPPING sAFE-rY. STOP SOLENOID3/ MACHINE STOPPED l 3 BRAKE 0N 6 CLUTCH DISENGAG7E2D G 8 {-49 3 BRAKEOFF 7/ 7 CLUTCH DISENGAGED 35 FOR NEEDLE DIPPING 38 3f 47 5/ MACHINERuNNlNG J9 BRAKE OFF 4O CLUTCH ENGAGED a BRAKE RELEASE 0 SOLENOID %4,WMG M ATTORNEYS 1952 F. CHATFIELD ETAL 2,621,620

NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1949 X K, /6.9-'ll SAFETY STOP BRAKE RELEASE SOLENOID SOLENOID lea mmvrozas FRANKLINCHATF'IELD STANLEY P. FOLSOM TTOR/VEYS Dec. 16, 1952 Filed May 9. 1949F. CHATFIELD ETAL NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORSFRANKLIN CHATF/E'LD STANLEY R FOLSOM MmM WM ATTORNEYS Dec. 16, 1952 F.CHATFlELD ETAL 2,621,520

NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 IDLE FORWARDRUN TO ENGAGE [40 WITH SURFACE IIB ON CAM H5 .l 7 7.5

FORWARD I46 REVERSE M I I STITCH PARTIALLY COMPLETED H AND BEYONDUNLOCKINC v F6 v POSITION ORIGINAL STITCH COMPLETED FORWARD REVgRSE PlN|4| BEGINS v0 ENGAGE CAM I45 28B STITCH STARTED m3 FIG.|5 -75 POSITIONFIG. I3 POSITION H6. l6 5 He. /4

FORV'KARD 3? REVERSE /7 /o'o., I

l3! [Ficus POSITION M7 M0 /63 COAST A no. POSITION 2 u I POSITJON WHEN75 [7 F PIN: MOV s up f; Ms E 1:19 ,7 INVENTORS ENOUGH To F QANKL/NCHATFIELD RELEASE I40 A V Z STITCH CARRIED FORWARD o FR BUT IS STOPPEDSHORT 0F W UNLOCKING CONDITION M 4 A I t 1 ATTORNEYS Dec. 16, '1952 F.CHATFIELD ETAL 2,621,620

NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 FORWARDREVERSE IDLE REVERSE RUN 75 OF PIN I40 BEFORE IT ENGAGES BACK SURFACE "7ON CAM NO MOVEMENT OF SEWING MACHINE ON BACK RUN I g A20 PIN |4I BEGINSTO ENGAGE CAM I46 FORWARD REvERsE h FIG.2| POSITION lg? /00 L85REVERSRUN M9 OF SEWING A25 MACHINE UN- FORMED (CAST OFF) PARTIALLYFORMED Z STITC H Fis.2/

F1623 POSITION FORWAQRD COAST REVER\SE FIG.2| I35 POSITION I A /o IV JI17 Z'QSTITCH COMPLETELY CAST OFF IN VEN TORS AND NEEDLE BAR RAISED ToFULL FRANKL/N CHAT/WELD UP POSITION S NLEY FOLSOM fml,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 16, 1952 F. CHATFIELD ETAL NEEDLE DIPPER MECI-IANISIII'Filed May 9. 1949 REVERSE FORWARD STITCH JUST STARTED BUT HAS NOT REACHPOINT JUST SHORT OF LOCKING FORWARD REVERSE mu: RUN .wrm PIN 141 suomcAGAINST OUTERFACE OF cmus 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 CAM AND SEWING MACHINEREMAIN FIG. 25 POSITION II! I CAM AND SEWING rMACHINE REMAIN 9 IN FIG-25PO/SITION I I I I I FURTHER IDLE RUN OF PIN I40 UNTIL IT ENGAGES SURFACE"8 OF CAM II5 AS IN FIGS.I4-l5. FROM THEN ON SEQUENCE AS IN FIGS. l4-23INVENTORS FRANKLIN CHATF'IELD STANLEY R FOLSOM A T'TORNE vs PatentedDec. 16, 1952 NEEDLE DIPPER MECHANISM Franklin Chatfield and StanleyRoberts Folsom,

Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Munsingwear, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., acorporation of Delaware application May 9, 1949, Serial No. 92,182

11 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for use in conjunction with sewingmachines and more particularly for use with power driven productionsewing machines. In the operation .oi such sewing machines, of whichthere are many varieties, stitch formation is accomplished by theinteraction of the needle thread (or m-ultiple'needle threads) withanother stitch forming device which may or may not carry another threador threads. The device which cooperates with the needle to form thestitch may be a shuttle, but in most machines is a looper bar mechanismor multiple looper bar mechanism.

The instant invention is for use with sewing machines of such types. Ingeneral, it may be stated that the instant invention is used incenjunction with chain or look stitch sewing machines, such as one, two,three or higher multiple needle machines having single, .d'oiiblefortriple interlock; fiat lock machines; multiple needle machines usinglower or upp'ei'and lowerlooper mechanism; one, two or three needletriple'interlock machines and the like. It is to be understood that thisis by no means a complete list of types of sewing machines to which theinvention is applicable.

During the operation of such sewing machines as, for example, at the endof a stitched seam, the operator of the machinemay desire to withdrawthe work and this necessitates drawing off the threads from the needleor needles and'also in many machines requires the simultaneouswithdrawal of thread from theshuttle or looper mechanisms, so as toallow cutting the threads beyond the termination of stitching. Thisprovides suitable length of threads extending from the machinepreparatory to insertion of more work and allows the thread or threadstoextend beyond the line of stitches just formed. To permit suchwithdrawal of the thread or threads, which in every case must runsmoothlyand simultaneously through the eye of the needle -(or;needles)and where the shuttle or looper mechanisms carry thread also throughtheeye or eyes of the shuttle or looper mechanisms, it is necessary to havecompletedthe last stitch andpto have the needle (needle bar) retractedfrom the work (up position) and in a prescribed position so that thethread tension mechanisms will release .all threads and permit them tobe drawn out smoothly. In the simplest sewing machines, namely those ofthe household type a considerable range of angular movement of thesewing machine drive shaft and corresponding considerable range ofmovement of the needle before and after reaching retracted (up)position, is "possible andthe operator can usually obtain a condition ofrelease of the threadsby bringingftheneedle 'toward and past theup.posi't ion and fthenffeel for the release position by rotatingthehand wheel forwardly and reversely while applying slight tension to thework until the threads release and run free. However, in many precisionmachines, particularly the more complex production machines, aprescribed sequence of opera tions must be followed to obtain suchrelease of the threads. This sequence of operation is known in'thetextile arts as needle dipping and is as followsi When the line ofstitching is to be completed, the operator brings the sewing machinecontrols to the stopping position and the sewing machine thereforestops, but the position of the needle bar and needles carried therebymay be at any place throughout the range of movements of these devicesduring stitch formation, and thus may be completely down with theneedles completely penetrating the work or entirely retracted (up) withthe needles completely withdrawn from the work, or at any place betweenthese e;; tremes on either the downstroke or the upstroke of the needlebar. The stopping position is a random occurrence and the operator hasno way of predetermining the stopping position. Accordingly, the sewingmachine may come to rest with the stitch in any degree of formation. Itshould be borne in mind that throughout the sequence of occurrences institch formation, the same things do not happen on the upstroke of theneedle as happen on the downstroke of the needle. Furthermore, stitchformation is not a reversible process, i. e. the thread cannot beunstitched by reversing direction of running of the sewing machine,except that during the formation of the stitch and up to a certain pointin stitch formation, which is before the threads lock, revers ingdirection of the sewing machine will permit the partly formed stitch tobe cast off.

In the sequence of needle dipping the operator takes ahold of the sewingmachine hand wheel after it has come to rest and then propels it slowlyby hand in the stitch-forming direction until the stitch which is in theprocess of being made is completed and the process of formation of thenext stitch is begunandcarried to a point just short of locking thestitch. Then the direction of rotation of the hand wheel is reversed andit is backed until the needles (needle bar) are at the retracted (up)position. When this is done the threads of any machine will be releasedand (provided the presser foot is raised) the material can be withdrawnand the thread or threads, of which the line of stitches were formed,will be withdrawn easily (and if several threads are involved,simultaneously) through the eyes of the needle (or needles) and the eyesof the bobbin or looper bar or bars .or other stitch-forming mechanisms,in the event these carry threads.

It may be noted parentheticall that, dependin upon the design of themachine, the direction of rotation of the hand wheel may be in eitherdirection when the machine is running in the stitch-forming direction.Thus, in some machines the top of the hand wheel moves towards theoperator while forming the stitches, whereas in others the top of thehand wheel moves away from the operator when the machine is running institch-forming direction. Throughout this specification movement of themachine mechanism in stitch-forming direction will be designated theforward direction, regardless of whether the top of the hand wheel runstowards or away from the operator, whereas movement opposite to thestitch-forming direction Will be called reverse direction.

Using this nomenclature, the process of needle dipping is (l) to stopthe machine, (2) to propel the machine by hand in the forward directionuntil the partially formed stitch is completed and the next stitch ispartly completed, to a condition short of that point in the stitchformation where the threads look, i. e. can be cast off and thepartially formed stitch uh-formed and (3) to then propel the machine byhand in a reverse direction until the needle bar is completely retracted(up) which has the efiect of unforming the last partially formed stitch.When this is done, and regardless of the particular style of stitch, thethreads will be released and (provided the presser foot is raised) thework can be pulled out and thread or threads running through thestitch-forming mechanism will run freely and can be extendedindefinitely (drawn out) to any desired length.

The process of needle dipping, While seemingly very simple, is actuallydifficult to achieve in production machines because of the fact thatproduction machines are motor driven and stopped by brakes. As a resultof this it takes weeks and even months for an operator to learn to putthis needle dipping technique into practice, and some operators neverlearn the technique. The reason is that the modern production sewingmachine is a high speed precision instrument, and requires precisecontrol and is driven and stopped by a treadle mechanism which controlsthe running of the machine through a clutch on a high speed constantlyrunning motor and controls the stopping by means of clutch release andbrake. Thus, usually, the drive consists of a powerful high-speed,constantly-running motor (or line shaft) connected through a combinedclutch-brake mechanism to the sewing machine drive wheel, theclutch-brake mechanism being connected to a foot treadle so that whenthe treadle is pushed forwardly (toe down, heel up) the brake goes offand the clutch is engaged to run the machine; when the treadle iscentered (placed neutral, i. e. equal pressure on toe or heel) the brakegoes off and the clutch is released and when the treadle is movedbackwardly (heel down, toe up), the clutch is disengaged and the brakeis applied.

These three positions of the treadle (i. e. run, neutral and stop) areset close and the neutral position (clutch disengaged, brake off) ishence closely prescribed. If the treadle is pushed forwardly (toe down)from neutral, the machine will begin to run and if the treadle is pushedheel down from neutral the brake is set and the machine cannot be turnedeven by hand. While it would be possible to adjust the treadle so as togive a broad neutral range, this is undesirable because the machineshould 4 always be under precise control (i. e. should either run orstop and should not coast) and also because for best production thetreadle controls should be set sensitive and responsive to slightmovements of the operators foot.

These facts concerning the power drive and controls have their efiectupon the needle dipping sequence for the needle dipping is carried outby propelling the machine by hand; hence, it can only be done when themachine controls are in neutral, i. e. clutch disengaged and brake off.Therefore, to carry out the needle dipping sequence on power drivenmachines the operator must first learn to position the controls inneutral and then carry out the needle dipping sequence. This isdifiicult to do.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a needle dippermechanism and more particularly to provide a mechanism for carrying outthe needle dipping function automatically.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a mechanism forcarrying out the needle dipping sequence on power driven sewingmachines,

It is a further object of the invention to provide an operatorcontrolled mechanism for power driven sewing machines having a singleoperator control for automatically placing the machine in neutral andthen carrying out the needle dipping sequence, and to provide such amechanism in which provision is made for guarding against power drive ofthe sewing machine during the needle dipping sequence.

It is another object of the invention to pro vide an operator controlledmechanism for ac complishing needle dipping with power and also toprovide an operator controlled mechanism for carrying out the sequenceof needle dipping on any sewing machine.

Other objects of the invention are those inherent in the apparatusherein illustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in whichcorresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which Figure 1 isa front elevational view of the usual form of production typepower-driven sewing machine with which the apparatus of the invention isincorporated;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a portionof the control mechanism of the instant invention;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the sewing machine illustratedin Figure l, to which the invention is applied, showing the operatingparts in another position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of theapparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken in the direction of arrows5-5 of Figure 1 showing a portion of the needle dipping mechanism;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 and is takenalong the lines 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram of certain of the electrical components ofthe invention, together with certain of the mechanical componentsthereof;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the mechanismshown in Figures 5 and 6, taken in the direction of arrows and along theline 88 of Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 9 corresponds to the apparatus shown in Figure 8, except that itis a fragmentary vertical elevational view in the direction of and alongthe line 9-9 of Figure 6;

t Figure 101s a plan view of the portion bf-th apparatus shown inFigures 8 and 9 andis taken along-the line and in the direction ofarrows Iii-l of Figure M Figure 11 is a side elevational view partly insection taken along the line-and inthedire'ction ofarrows' H'-+ll ofFigures 8, 9 and 10.

The series of views Figures 12-29 aresh'own in corresponding pairs.Thus, Figures 12 and 13 correspond; Figures 14 and15 correspond and soforth through this series. Throughout this series the even-numberedviews, viz. Figures 12, 14", 16 etc. to Figure 28 correspond to Figure10, being a fragmentary top plan view taken along the line andin thedirection of arrows lB--l0 of Figure 5, whereas the odd-numberedFigures13, 15, 17 etc. through Figure 23 correspond to Figure '11. Thisseries of views, Figures 12-13, Figures 14-15, Figures 16-17 and so onthrough Figures 22-23 illustrate certain of the working parts. of theneedle dipper throughout the series of positions through which the partsmove during the needle dipping operation for various positions in whichthesewing machine. has stopped prior to the needle dipping operation. Asfurther explanation, it is noted that Figure 13 is a sectional view inelevation, taken along the line. l3-l3 of Figure. 12. Figure 15 is asectional view in elevation taken along the line Iii-l5 of Figure. 14.Figure 17 is an elevational view partly in section taken along. the lineand in the direction of arrows l.1.-I1 of Figure 16. Figure 19 is anelevational .view partly in section taken alongthe lineand in thedirection of arrows l9-l9 of Figure 18. Figure.21 is a sectional viewpartly in elevation taken along the line and in the direction of arrows2l2l of Figure 20. Figure 23 is a sectional view partly in elevationtaken along the line and in the direction of arrows 23-23 of Figure 22.Figure is a sectional view partly in "elevation taken along the line andin the direction of arrows 25-25 of Figure 24. Figure-27 isa sectionalView in elevation taken along the line and in the direction of arrows27-2| of Figure'26. Figure 29 is a sectional view in elevation'takenalong the line and in the direction of arrows '2329 of Figure 28.

Figure is a side sectional view corresponding to Figure 5, except thatit is fora sewing machine which is driven in the opposite direction ofrotation for stitch formation than that in Figure 5. Figure 30 is takenalongthesame section line as shown at line 55 of Figure 1. Figure 31 isa plan view with the cover removed, of the apparatus shown in Figure30,and istaken along the line and in the direction of arrows 3|3l of Figure30.

Figures 32 and 33 show a somewhat modified form of adjustable cam forthe needle dipping mechanism, Figure 32 being anelevational view partlyin section and Figure 33 being a fragmentary side view taken along'theline andin'the direction of arrows 33-33 of Figure 32.

Referring to the'drawings'and particularly to Figures 1-9 the apparatusis illustrated as applied to a conventional power-driven production.type sewing machine generally designatedlowhich includes a frame I i,work plate l2,-needle bar I3, a needle operating mechanism l5,variousthread guides and threadtension mechanisms I6, I! and the like and amain sewing machine drive shaft I8 ,;which isprovidedwith a handwheell9; This particular sewingmachine, which it must beunderstood isillustrativeof many types to which the" invention "is applicable, is: ofthe-:type whichrotates in the directionof arrow 20 when moving iii-thestitch forming direction, that is to say the top of the hand wheel l9movesaway from the front of the machine (operator station) when'themachine is moving in the stitch-forming direc; tion. The hand wheel I9is provided witha V-pulley at 21 in which a 'v belt 22 or other suitabledrive belt runs. The entire sewing machine (sewing head) is mounted-uponthe board 23 which is supported by legs 24-, 25 that are in turn tiedtogether by the bottom cr'o's's braces 2'5 and 21. V

Beneath th'e'sewi'ng head Ill and fastened to the under side of theboard 23v there is a constantly running motor 2.8 which in some machinesis replaced by a line shaft. The support for the motor is by means ofpedestal 29 reaching u'pto and fastened to the board 23. The motor 231sof the constantly rotating type and is pr'ovidedat one end with acombined clutch-brake m'echa nism 38, by means of which the rotation of"the motor may be communicated to the drive shaft 31 and to the drivepulley 32 over which the V belt 22 also travels so 'th'atwv' hen thepulley 321s driven by the motor, the belt 22 will travelin'the direction'of the arrow 33 and drive the hand wheel ['9 and shaft [3: of thesewing machine in the stitch-forming direction.

The clutch-brake mechanism 33', which per se forms no part of theinstant invention, is arranged to be actuated by means of a lever '35pivotally mounted at pin -36 on brackett'l, which is a part of themotor. The lver 3'5-ha s'a bend in it and extends across below themotorat the portion 35' and nea'rits outer end is provided with a pin 38 towhich the upperend of-a tension spring 40 is attached, the lower end-ofthe'sp'ring so being connected to the eye 41 inthe upper end of a pullrod 42 that'extendsdowntoand'is pivotally attached to the rear part offatreadle 43, the latter being pivotally m'ounted'at 44 and 44' upon thebottom cross brace 21. The treadle 43 when moved tothe forward'position(toe down, heel up) causes therod 42 to be pulled downwardly in thedirection of arrow '45 and-consequently the lever 35 is pulleddownwardly 'inth'e direction of arrow 41 and pivots about the'p'in 36and in this position causes the brake to be disengaged and the clutch tobe engaged, thus allowing the motor 28 to drive the shaft 31 and pulley32 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right end, or statedanother way, in the direction to move the front side of the belt'22-upwardly in the direction of arrows '33} The sewing machine I0 isaccordingly driven in the stitch-forming direction.

When the operator releases the toedow'n, -heel up pressure on thetreadle d3, thedowriward pull on the rod 42 is released and'the lever'35 is moved upwardly by meansof a spring 4'8'connected between thelever 35- andthe moter 28. The spring 48 causesthelever35- to 'moveupwardly in the-direction of arrow 49 and therefore moves the leverabout the pivot pin 35 through the neutral position where'the clutch isdisengaged and thebrake not yet'eng'aged, and into the braking positionwhere the clutch" isdisengaged and the brake is engaged. When thisoccurs, a braking force is appliedto the shaftSI and hence to the pully32, and this brakingforce is communicated through'the belt 22 to thedrive shaft [8 of the sewing machine, causingthe latter quickly to cometo a stop and to be held immovably. This is the-customary typeofrproduction-g sewing machine'control. -It mayalsobe noted that uponthe bottom cross brace 21 there is also mounted a supplemental treadle50 which is connected through the chain to the free end of the lever 52that serves to raise or lower the presser foot of the sewing machine.These latter elements are illustrated and herein mentioned merely asshowing the customary type of sewing machine auxiliary mechanisms.

In accordance with the instant invention the lever 35 is provided withsupplementary solenoid actuated mechanism by which the lever can bepositively moved to the neutral (clutch disengaged-brake not engaged)position, but held against movement beyond the neutral position to therunning position where the clutch would be engaged. These supplementalmechanisms take the form of a pair of solenoids which are bestillustrated in Figures 1-4. One of these solenoids, namely the brakerelease solenoid 55, is provided with a winding served by a pair ofconductors 55 and has an armature 58 which is pulled upwardly by lever35 due to the action of spring 48. When pin 69 on lever 35 reaches end63 of slot 6!, the link 59 and armature 58 are lifted. The armature 58is pulled downwardly by the magnetic action of the solenoid. Thearmature 58 is coupled by means of a link 59 to a pin 55 set crosswisein the motor control lever 35. The member 59 has a slot Bl in it whichhas a length extending from the line 62 to the line 53, Figure 2. Thelength of the slot 6| is such that when the solenoid 55 is energized theupper end of the slot at the line 63 will engage upon the pin 60 set inthe lever 35 and will pull the pin, and hence the lever, to the neutralposition shown in full lines in Figure 4. However, the length of theslot 5| is such that when the solenoid 55 is de-energized and the link59 hence is moved to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operatorcan, by moving the treadle 43, cause the lever 35 to move beyond theneutral position and into the running position (denoted Machine RunningBrake Ofi Clutch Engaged) in Figures 1 and 3 and shown by the lowerdotted lines in these figures. Thus, the action of brake releasesolenoid 55 is such that when energized it will, through the link 59 andslot GI and pin 65, cause the lever 35 to be drawn down to the neutralposition. The movement of the solenoid 55 is a very rapid, snap actionmovement and accordingly when the armature 58 thus moves rapidlydownwardly when the solenoid is energized, it produces a quick downwardpull on the link 59 and this causes the lever 35 likewise to be pulleddown rapidly. The fact that slot 5| extends downwardly far below the pin50 when in the full line position shown in Figure 4 would permit thelever 35 when pulled by armature 58 to move downwardly and then byinertia to move beyond the neutral position, and hence into the positionwhere the brake is off and the clutch is engaged (shown by the lowerdotted line position in Figure 2) and hence the machine would tend tostart and run a little bit which is undesirable. In order to preventthis from happening there is provided a safety solenoid generallydesignated 65 which is energized through a pair of conductors 64.

The safety solenoid armature 65 of the solenoid 55 normally movesdownwardly under its own weight and is lifted upwardly when the solenoid55 is energized. The armature 65 is connected pivotally at 6! to thelink 58 which, at its lower end, is slotted from the position 69 to theposition'lll, the slot being designated H. The slot H serves as aconnection to a pin 12 set crosswise through the end of the lever 35 ofthe motor control mechanism. It is the purpose of the safety solenoidand the link connection 68 through slot H to the pin 12 to provide astop against which the pin 12 may move and thus prevent the lever 35from moving beyond the neutral position and into the running position.This stop which is actually the end of slot H in the link 58 iseffective only during those portions of the use of the apparatus whenthe needle dipping function is about to be performed. The length of theslot H and its position along link 58 is such that when the solenoid 65is energized the link 68 is moved upwardly to the position shown inFigure 4 and in this position the lower termination '10 of the slot Hserves as an abutment against which the pin 12 can move, it being notedthat when the link is up, the position of slot H is such that when thepin '12 is in the lower end of slot ll, viz. against end 70 the lever 35is in the neutral position shown in full lines in Figure 4. Thus, byfirst energizing the solenoid 55 a stop is provided such that when thebrake release solenoid 55 is subsequently energized, it will not pullthe lever 35 downwardly beyond the neutral position. Yet the length ofthe slot II is such that when the solenoid 65 is de-energized and thelink 55 is permitted to move downwardly to the position shown in Figure2, enough length and position of slot is provided so that the pin 12 maymove under control of the operator from the machine stop (brake on,clutch disengaged) position shown in full lines in Figure 2 all the waydown through the neutral position (brake oif, clutch disengaged) and tothe machine running position (brake oif, clutch engaged).

The energization of the solenoids 65 and 55 in the sequence justdescribed is carried out by the mechanical action of the needle dippingmechanism now to be described.

Referring particularly to Figures 5 through 11, the mechanical needledipping mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6 includes a frame composed ofside plates 15 and 15 which are fastened together by a plurality ofcross frame members TI, 78, 19 and 85. Through the plates 15 and 16there extends a pivot shaft 8| which is provided at its outer end with afirmly attached lever 82 to which a spring 83 is firmly attached at itsouter end, the spring being anchored at its lower end on a pin 84 setinto the side plate 15. The action of the spring 83 causes the outer endof the lever 82 to be pulled downwardly and this causes the shaft 8| tobe rotated in the direction of arrow 58, as shown in Figure 5. Upon theshaft BI there is provided a segmental gear generally designated 85which has a hub portion 85 pinned or otherwise firmly attached to theshaft 8| so as to be rotatable therewith. Into the hub 85 there is set ahand lever rod 89 which is bent at its upper end 99 so as to provide ahand grip portion by means of which the operator may grasp the lever andpull it towards her during the needle dipping function. The hub 86 has asegmental gear portion 9 l% extending through the angularity defined bythe boundaries 92 and 93 of the gear. The gear has a segmental portion94 provided with teeth which engage with a pinion gear 95 presently tobe described. The action of spring 92 and lever 82 is to cause thesegmental gear 85 to be moved in the direction 88 to a stop positionwhich is provided by means of an adjustment screw 96 set in the crossframe member 19, the screw being positioned so that the edge 92 of 9 thesegmental gear moves" against it when pulled inth'e direction of arrow'8 by the spring 83 and lever 8-2. The screw 96 can be adjusted and heldin any adjusted position by means of the locking nut 91.

The gear 05, with which the teeth 04 on the segmental gear engage, ismounted upon a stationary pivot shaft I00, as shown in Figures 8-10. Thestationary shaft I00has a flange at I and a reduced section I02 thatfits neatly into a hole bored in the frame member I5. The reducedportion I02 is threaded at I03 to receive a cap screw I04 whichpasses'through washer I05. Thus, when the capscrew I04 is drawn up itpulls the reduced portion I02 firmly into the side plate I5 until theflange MI is tight against the inside of the side plate and thisaccordingly serves to position the pivot shaft I00 accurately onthe sideplate. The opposite side plate '16 of the needle dipping mechanism 'isprovided with a bearing hole at I06 whichis aligned coaxially with thestub-shaft I00. The bearinghole I06 serves to receive injournalingaction the shaft I08 which extends outwardly at I09 to receivethe flexible coupling I I-0 terminating in the coupling block I II, bymeans of which the apparatus is attached to the shaft 100i the sewingmachine. Upon the shaft I08 there is provided a heavy collar I I2 whichis pinned'to the shaft. The collar II2 can be bored out so as to provideproper balance for the mechanism. Upon the inner end of the shaft I00there is provided a cam generally designated 'II5 which is pinned to theshaft I08 so as to be rotatable therewith. The cam II5 has the shapeshown best in Figure 11 and has a portion of maximum diameter 'I'IBextending from the radial line, II! to the radial line II8,and.a'portion of minimum diameter I I9 ,extending from the line IIBaround to the line III. The portion of maximum diameter is generally ofless than 180 degrees angularity, whereas the portion of minimumdiameter 'I'I'0 is generally more than 180 degrees; The exact angularitybetween lines .I I! and Band hence of the cam portions H6 and H0isvaried slightly for adjusting the device for different sewingmachines, but it may be stated that the distance between the camsurfaces II 'I andIIfl is suchthat if the machine does not'stop at apoint just short of where the stitch can be cast ofhthe sewing machinewill be propelled in needle dipping'movement to that point and then onthe reverse movement of the needle dipping mechanism to propel themachine in a direction opposite to stitch formation so as to bring theneedle bar to the raised or fully retracted position so as to cast offthe partially formed stitch. A slight allowance "in cam angle is usuallyrequired at each end of the cam to allow for coasting of the machine atthe ends of each of these hand propelled directions of movement. I

The gear 95 is provided with a heavy boss por- 'tion I20 and is attachedcoaxially with the member I2 I. It may-be noted that the gear is drilledthrough at a plurality of places to receive at least two attachingscrews l22-I22 which extend through the gear and into the member I2 I,which accordingly holds the gear and the member [2! firmly in coaxialrelationship. It is to be understood, of course, that the entire gear 05and member I2I could be made in one piece if so desired. v

The member I 2i is provided with a central land I23 which extends partlyacross the diameter'nf the member 121 ,frgm lines I24 to lines I25 ofFigure 10. The land I23 has parallel sides at the lines I25- and I25 anda foreshortened top line at I25. At the sides and along the top of themember I2I there is provided a planar surface I2'I which is set at anangle to the axis of the member I2I, which is also coaxial with theshaft I00. The slanting portion I21 terminating at its lower end in thenormal portion I28 which is at right angles to the axis of the memberI2I. The land I23 serves as a place for mounting the movable camengaging member I20 which is pivotally attached to the land by means ofthe pivot pin I20 set through the member I20 into the land I23, themember I20 being thus free to move pivotally in the direction of arrowsI32 and I33 about the pivot pin I321. The member I20 is bifurcated atits lower portion having parts I34 and I35 which extend downwardly alongthe sides I24 and I25 of the land I23 and pin I30 extends all the waythrough. The member I29 has a generally circular periphery around a partof its periphery but is provided at its upper end with a protrudingbosslike portion I36 which is nevertheless of the same thickness as theentire member I20.

The member I29 is provided with two inset pins I40 and MI, the pin I40being set closer to the axis of shaft I06 than the pin IdI. The pin I40has a smooth sharp edged planar end I42 which is parallel to theadjacent surface of the cam M5 when the'member I29 is in the positionshown in Figures 8 and 9. The surface I42 is positioned so that it willfall into abutment with the portion I N5 of maximum diameter of the camgenerally designated IIS when that portion of maximum diameter H6 is inangular position opposite the pin I40.

The pin II, which is mounted in the boss I36 of the member I29 isprovided with a smoothly rounded outer end and engages upon the ar-cuatecam generally designated Hi6 attached to the wall "I6 of the needledipping frame. The cam I45 is of partial segmental shape, as shown inFigure 11, and is provided with a slanted offend at It? and anotherslanted opposite end I48, as shown in Figure 10. As the member I2I isrotated about the axis of shaft I00 the pin slides up upon either thecam surface I01 or the cam surface Hi8 (depending upon directionofrotation)' until it reaches the point of maximum height of the cam atI49, at which point the member I20 is held in the position shown inFigures 8, 9 and 10.

Within the member I2I there is a recess I44 into which there is set aslug I50 which is pressed to the left, as shown in Figures 8-10, bymeans of the spring IEI. The slug I50 bears against the back surface ofthe member I29 and tends to move member I20 in the direction of thearrow I32 so as to move the pin I lI into engagement with the cam I46.

The entire needle dipping mechanical mechanism heretofore described iscovered by a cover IE3 which extends downwardly along the, front of themechanism and across the topof the mechanism where it is provided with aslot I54 aligned with the handle so as to permit movement of the handlefrom the full to the dottedline position shown in Figure 5 and is alsoprovided with the outwardly extending contour at I52 which receives theupper portion of the segrmental gear 05 when in the dotted line positionof Figure 5. The cover also extends downwardly across the back of themechanism.

Within the needle dipping mechanism there are mounted two switches, asshown in Figure 7. One of these switches generally designated I55 ismounted upon the cross frame member 19 and is provided with an insulatedactuating bar I55 set in alignment with the edge 92 of segmental geargenerally designated 85. The gear is normally moved to the positionshown in full lines in Figure '7 but is adapted to be moved in thedirection of the solid arrow I45 when actuated by the operator, beingreturned in the direction of the dotted arrow I57 by the action ofspring 83 and lever 82, as previously described. The insulated actuatingbar I55 serves, when the gear 85 is in the released position shown inFigure '7, to hold open the pair of contacts I58 and I59, thus opencircuiting the connecting wires I65 and I The other switch, which ismounted within the needle dipping mechanism, is shown generally at I52and is provided with an insulated switch actuating member I63 positionedso as to be engaged by the protuberance I35 on the member I29. When themember I29 is in the position shown in Figure '7, which is also theposition shown in Figures 8-11 in which the needle dipping mechanismreposes when not actuated by the operator, the insulating actuatingmember I53 serves to hold contacts I54 and I55 apart, thusopen-circuiting the line I59 and line I 65. The line I 53 is one of thepower supply lines of the apparatus, the other power supply line I58being connected through lead I59 to the safety solenoid 65 and throughthe lead I19 to the brake release solenoid 55. From the safety solenoid55 line ISI extends to the switch I55 previously described, and from thebrake release solenoid line I65 extends to the switch I92. The switchI55 is adjusted so that it is moved to closed position by the slightestmovement of the segmental gear 85 away from the released position shownin Figure '7, and switch I52 is adjusted and the cam surface on the lugI33 is shaped so that switch I92 closes after the switch, I55 hasclosed. Accordingly, when the operator operates the needle dippingmechanism by pulling forwardly on the lever 89 the switch I55 is thefirst one to be closed, and this accordingly immediately energizes thesafety stop solenoid with the result that the link 68 is pulled to theposition shown in Figure 4 and the lever 35 is thus prevented from beingmoved beyond the neutral position and into the running position. As themovement of the lever 89 of the needle dipping mechanism is continued,the switch I62 is closed and this energizes the brake release solenoid55 with the result that it pulls down on the link 59 and causes thelever 35 to be drawn downwardly to the neutral position shown in Figure4, but this quick downward movement due to the snap action of thesolenoid 55 does not throw the lever beyond the neutral position becauseof the safety stop feature previously mentioned.

Referring now to Figures 12-29 which illustrate the action of the needledipping mechanism, it may be stated before beginning the explanationthat Figures 12-23 illustrate the sequence of the needle dippingoperation when the machine has stopped with a stitch partially completedand beyond that point at which unlocking of the stitch can occur,whereas Figures 24-29 illustrate the first part of the action of theneedle dipping mechanism under the condition where a stitch has justbeen started but has not reached the point just short of unlocking.

In explaining the sequence of Figures 24-29 these 7 figures run insequence from Figure 24 through 29 and then the action continues exactlyas in the sequence from Figures 14-23. In all of these figures the samenomenclature has been utilized.

The heavy arrow shown radially on cam II5 is intended to illustrate theposition of the needle in the stitch forming operation, it beingunderstood that the needle goes up and down in accordance with thevertical component of the heavy arrow shown in these figures. Thus, inFigure 13 the needle has proceeded beyond the fully down position shownat line I and is shown just as it has started its up run. Throughout allof these figures the arrow labeled For- Ward denotes the movement of thesewing machine in the stitch-forming direction, whereas the arrowlabeled Reverse denotes the movement of the sewing machine in adirection opposite to stitch-formation. The arcuate dotted linedimensional arrows in all of these figures denote an idling operation,whereas the arcuate solid line dimensional arrows denote the conditionwhere the needle dipping mechanism drives the sewing machine in eitherthe forward or reverse direction, depending upon the point in thesequence of operation being depicted. The arcuate space labeled Coastdenotes the amount of coasting of the sewing machine mechanism beyondthe position to which it is driven by the needle dipping mechanism.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, the sewing machine has stopped witha stitch partially completed, but beyond the position at which unlocking(casting off) of the stitch will occur. The needle bar and needles ofthe sewing machine and cam II5, which rotates with the sewing machine,have passed the fully down position I80 for the needle and have come torest at the position I8I in which the heavy arrow N is shown. The needledipping mechanism herein illustrated always comes to rest with the lever89 in the elevated position due to the action of spring 83 and lever 82upon shaft 8|, Figure 6, and accordingly the segmental gear 85 and thegear is driven by handle 89 and the movable cam engaging member I'29carried by gear 95, and which in turn carries pins I40 and MI, comes torest and is held in the position shown in Figures 10 and 11, which arepositions of reference for comparison with the positions shown inFigures 12 and 13. It will be remembered that the cam I I5, beingattached to the sewing machine drive shaft, therefore always keeps aconstant angular position with reference to the sewing machine and camII5, therefore, is indicative of the position of the stitch-formingmechanism, including the needle bar and other devices for stitch-formingon the sewing machine. Arrow N is merely a reference arrow, the verticalcomponent of which indicates the needle position. In Figure 13 the pinI40 which serves to propel the cam II5 has moved forwardly through anidle run, from the position shown in Figure 11 to the position shown inFigure 13, and during this movement the pin I4I has moved down theinclined cam surface I48 on the cam I45 and therefore permits the pinI40 to drop in behind the surface I I8 on the cam II5. Therefore,continued movement of the lever 89 by the operator causes the pin I40 topropel the cam H5 and hence to propel the sewing machine in the forwarddirection, from the Figure 13 to the Figure 15 position which is thenext change in action position. From the position shown in Figure 13 thepin I40 accordingly drives the cam I I5 13 to the position shown inFigure 15, where the pin 'I4I begins to engage the surface I41 on thecam I46 and accordingly begins to move the pin I40 out from itscondition of engagement with the surface H8 on the cam H5. However,complete disengagement of the pin I40 from surface H8 does not yet occurbecause the cam I4I must continue to ride up on the surface I41 for aslight distance, and therefore as the operator continues to pull thelever 89 in the forward direction (from Figure toward Figure 17),propulsion of the sewing machine (cam H5 via pin I) continues until thepin I4I rides to the top surface I49 of the cam I46 as shown in Figure17, the pin I4Il being meanwhile completely released from behind thesurface H8, and therefore it no longer tends to propel the cam H5. Itwill be remembered, however, that throughout the entire course of needledipping operation, the brake of the drive motor, which normally holdsthe sewing machine shaft immovable, is released and hence the forwardmovement of the sewing machine, due to the operation of the needledipper lever 89 continues (coasts) for a slight distance beyond the timeof disengagement of the pin I40 from the surface H8 on cam H5. Thiscoasting movement is indicated in Figure 1'7 as the distance between thelines I82 and I83 and is labeled coast. The amount of coasting for anyindividual needle dipping machine can be determined and the amountadjusted by changing the angular position between the surfaces H8 and II1 upon the cam H5. In this way the needle dipping machine may beadjusted to suit any particular sewing machine and particular operator.Ordinarily, no considerable range of adjustment is needed after theneedle dipper has once been adapted to a particular sewing machine.

When moving through the range of movements from the position of Figure13 to the position of Figure 1'7, the needle has been propelled from itsposition where it is inserted into the cloth being sewn, as in Figure13, thence forwardly to a fully retracted position designated by thedotted line I54 of Figure 15, at which time the original stitch. iscompleted. From this point on to the position shown by line I55, thefurther forward propulsion of the sewing machine starts a second stitch,which is,

however, not completed in Figure 15, nor is it completed as thepropulsion of the machine in the forward direction comes to a halt, asshown in Figure 17. In this position the second stitch is carriedforward but it is stopped short of the condition where the stitch may beunlocked by reverse movement of the sewing machine. This unlocking ofthe stitch is sometimes called casting off the stitch. In the positionshown in Figure 1'7 the operator has pulled the handle 89 of the needledipping mechanism to the fully forward position shown in dotted lines inFigure 5. In this position, lobe I35 on cam I29 again opens switch I52(see Figure 7), and this action de-energizes brake solenoid .55 andaccordingly permits spring .42 to lift arm 35 and set the brake. Thisprevents excessive coasting (over-travel) of the sewing machine due tothe operators pull on the needle dipping mechanism handle 89. the handleor propels it backwardly toward the full line position. "By releasingthe handle the spring 83 will propel the handle backwardly and willcarry all of the mechanisms backwardly with the handle.

The operator then merely releases Hence, after the needle dippingmechanism has moved the apparatus to the position shown in Figure 17, itis assumed that the handle is released andbeginsto return in reversedirection to .its normal upright position shown in full' li-nes inFigure 5. From the position shown inFigure 17 the pins I40 and MI movethrough an idle run from the position of Figure 17, in which the pinsI40 and MI are at line I55, around to the position shown in Figure 19,where they are atline I81. 'During the first part of this movement thepin I41 slides down the surface I41 of the cam I45 and permits the pinI40 to assume a position such that as the continued rotation of the pinsby means of the needle dipping mechanism will later bring the pins intoengagement with the surface II! on the cam H5, as shown in Figure 19.During this idle reverse run the cam H5 and the sewing machine which itpropels remain stationary.

After the pin I46 engages the surface -I II, as shown in Figure 19, thecam H5 is propelled from the position shown in Figure 19 through theposition shown in Figure 21 to the position shown in Figure 23. Duringthat part of this propulsionbetween Figures 19 and 21, the pin I40 isfully in engagement with the surface II'I, but at the position shown inFigure 2-1, the pin I4I begins to slide up upon the surface I48 andafter it has moved beyond the position shown in Figure 21, but before itreaches the position shown in Figure 23, this outward movement of thepin I4I on cam I48 causes the pin I40 to disengage from the surfaceII'I, after which the cam H5 and the sewing machine which it propels,coast to a stop through a distance shown by the dimension labeled Coastat I88 in Figure 23. In Figure 23 the machine has stopped with theneedle in the fully retracted position, and as previously stated, inthis position, the cloth and line of stitching which has been formed,can, when the presser foot is raised, be withdrawn from the machine andthe needle thread or threads and the bobbin thread (or looper thread orthreads), if used in the particular machine, can be pulled out smoothlyany desired distance.

Referring now to Figures 24 through 29, there is in these figuresillustrated the operation of the machine when the machine has come torest with the stitch just barely started and where it has not reached" apoint just short of looking. In this condition the needle N is shown atposition I and the portion H5 or the cam is accordingly positioned sothat it is in the way of the surface I42 on the pin I49. As the operatorgrasps the handle 89 of the needle dipping mechanism and propels it inthe forward direction, the pins I4I ride off of the high spot I49 on thecam I46 and in sliding down the cam surface I48 permits the surface I42of the pin I40 to come into engagement with the fiat surface -I9I of thecam I I5. In the continued movement from the position shown in Figure 25through the position shown in Figure 27 and to the position shown inFigure 29 the pin I40 slides along the surface I9I of the cam H5, asshown in Figure 2-5. This is an idle run and. has no effect so far asturning the cam H5 and the sewing machine attached thereto. Finally,when the pin I40 reaches the position shown in Figure 29, it passesbeyond the surface III of the cam H5 and accordingly permits the pin I40to drop in behind that surface. However, the pins I40 and IM are beingdriven .in the forward direction by movement of handle 89 and,therefore, even though the pin I40 has dropped in behind surface II'I,it does not yet propel .the cam II but continues along a further idlerun as denoted by the dotted arrow I92 until the pin I40 reaches thedotted line position shown in Figure 29 where it engages the surface IISon the cam H5. By comparison it will be noted that in this latterposition the pin I48 (dotted in Figure 29) is in the same position asshown for Figure and hence continued movement of the pin I40 in theforward and reverse direction, therefore, drives the cam H5 through thesequence of positions shown for Figures 1422'.

Accordingly, regardless of where the sewing machine happens to stop, itis only necessary that the operator grasp the handle 89 and pull itforwardly and then release the same, and the sewing machine stitchforming mechanisms will be carried forwardly and the stitching processof formation will be completed and another stitch partially formed or,if the stitch is already in the desired position, no action will betaken by the cam H5 and the machine will not be driven further in theforward direction. Then this other partially formed stitch is cast offby reverse action of the needle dipping mechanism on the sewing machine,thus completing the needle dipping function to permit withdrawal of theneedle and bobbin (or looper) threads, Throughout this action the brakerelease and safety solenoids are applied, as previously described, so asto release the braking action of the drive mechanism and yet prevent themachine from being driven by the power source.

It will be understood that Figures 12 to 29 are merely illustrative ofthe action for specific initial stopping positions. However, the actionabove described will be carried out regardless of the position in theprocess of stitch formation at which the machine happens to stop.

Referring to Figures 30 and 31 there is illustrated a needle dippingmechanism which is precisely the same as that previously described,except that a gear has been inserted at 2&9. Accordingly, forward motionof the handle 89 in the direction of arrow QQI causes the gear 9:": tobe propelled in a direction opposite to that previously described. Theneedle dipping mechanism shown in these figures is for a sewing ma chinein which stitch formation is accomplished when the power shaft of thesewing machine is driven oppositely to that shown for the deviceillustrated in Figures 1-29. Otherwise, the device is precisely thesame.

Referring to Figures 32 and 33 there is illustrated a slightly modifiedform of cam I it which permits adjustment of the angular positionbetween the lines II! and I I8 on the cam. In the cam structure shown inFigure 32, the cam generally designated 2H) is composed of threesegments, viz. segments 2I I, 2I2 and 2I3. The segment 2I3 has a centralboss portion 2M. and a cam surface portion 2I5. The segment ZIZ has acentral boss portion 2I6 and a flanged segmental portion 2I2, which ispositioned radially with respect to the shaft on which the cam parts aremounted so as to be in contact with the outer surface 2I8 of the campart 2I5. The cam portion 2Il is a similar segmental part attached to ahub 2I9. It will be noted that the hubs 2 I4, 2I6 and 2I9 are in contactwith each other and each is provided with a set screw, not illustrated,by which it is attached to the shaft I 8 of the sewing machine. The hub2| 4 may, if desired, be

permanently attached to the shaft I 8 and set screws provided for only2I6 and 2I9 to allow adjustment of these elements with reference to themember 2| 3. Thus, by loosening the set screws the hub 2I6 carrying thecam portion 212 may be adjusted from the full line position to thedotted line position of Figure 33 where it protrudes considerably beyondthe ends of the cam portion 2I5 on hub 2M. Similarly, by loosening theset screw in the hub Elli the cam 2H may likewise be adjusted outwardly.The effective portion of the combined cam arrangement is the frontsurface along the lines 33-33 of Figure 32 and the terminal portions 229and MI of the combined hub shown in Figure 33. Accordingly, by suitableadjustment the position of the terminal surface 229 can be changed toany position relative to the shaft I8 and likewise the terminal surface22I may also be moved to any position relative to the shaft IS. Thenarrowest cam that can be produced is determined by the length 2| 5 ofthe cam portion, whereas the maximum is shown at the dotted linepositions for Figure 33. A greater range of movement fron maximum tominimum for cam length can also be achieved by slightly differentproportioning of the cam parts. This permits the adjustment of the camto allow for different sewing machine inertia and also to allow forvariation in the speed of actuation by the operator when this is desirable.

As many apparently Widely different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that we do not limit ourselves to the specific embodimentsherein.

What we claim is:

1. A needle dipping mechanism for use in conjunction with sewingmachines having a random needle stopping position at least onereciprocating thread carrying needle and mechanism cooperating therewithfor forming stitches, and a rotary drive shaft for moving said needleand mechanism in said stitch forming relation, comprising a separaterotary drive member and means for limiting the rotation of said memberto a predetermined distance first in a direction corresponding to thedirection of rotation of said rotary drive shaft for stitch formationand then a predetermined distance in a reverse direction. clutch meansfor engaging said separate rotary drive member to said rotary driveshaft means cooperating with said clutch means to propel said rotarydrive member and hence said rotary drive shaft in stitch formingdirection from any place where it may have stopped in the process ofstitch formation of the sewing machine through the completion of thestitch which was in the process of being formed when the machine stoppedand into the formation of a succeeding stitch but short of the point institch formation where said stitch may be cast off and means then topropel said rotary drive member and said rotary drive shaft reverselyuntil the needle of the sewing machine is substantially retracted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said rotarydrive member includes a rotary shaft and operator controlled means forrotating the shaft forwardly and reversely.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the operatorpropelled means includes a lever movable angularly through prescribedlimits of travel and means connecting said lever and rotary drive memberfor rotating the same forwardly and reversely as said lever is manuallymoved angularlv.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that spring meansis provided for normally rotating said rotary drive means in a directionopposite to the direction of stitch formation.

5. A needle dipping mechanism for use in conjunction with sewingmachines having no predetermined needle stopping position and at leastone reciprocating thread carrying needle and mechanism cooperatingtherewith for forming stitches, and a rotary drive shaft for moving saidneedle and mechanism in said stitch forming relation, comprising clutchhaving a rotary member connected to the rotary drive shaft of the sewingmachine so as to rotate in constant synchronism therewith, said rotarymember comprising one portion of the clutch, a second portion of theclutch separated from the rotary drive shaft engageable with the firstportion so as to form a driving connection therewith, and movable meansunder the control of the operator and means limiting the movementthereof for rotating said second portion of the clutch a predetermineddistance in a forward direction and means for automatically causing theengagement of the second portion of the clutch with the first portion todrive the rotary member and hence the sewing machine first in stitchforming direction from any position in the sequence of movements ofstitch formation at which the machine may have stopped through thecompletion of the stitch in process of formation and thence into theformation of the next stitch, but short of the place in the stitchformation at which the stitch can be cast off, and then a predetermineddistance in a direction opposite to the direction of stitch formationuntil the needle bar of the sewing machine is substantially elevated andmeans for then automatically disconnecting said clutch.

6. An apparatus of the type set forth in claim 5 further characterizedin that said means under the control of the operator for rotating saidsecond portion of the clutch includes a lever movable arcuately betweenpredetermined limits and means connecting the lever and the secondportion of the clutch for rotating the latter forwardly or reversely assaid lever is moved forwardly or reversely.

7. An apparatus of the type set forth in claim 6 further characterizedin that said lever is provided with biasing means for moving it to adatum position.

8. In a needle dipping mechanism for use in conjunction with sewingmachines having at least one reciprocating thread-carrying needle andmechanism cooperating therewith for forming stitches, a rotary driveshaft for moving said needle and mechanism in said stitch formingdirection, constantly rotating power means and cooperating clutch andbrake means for connecting the power means to said rotary drive shaftfor propelling the sewing machine in stitch forming direction and fordisconnecting said rotary drive shaft from said power means, and forapplying the brake for stopping the operation of the sewing machine,said clutch and brake means also including a neutral position where saidclutch is disconnected and brake is not set, the improvement comprisinga rotary member connected to the rotary drive shaft of the sewingmachine so as to rotate in constant synchronism therewith, said rotarymember including one part of a clutch, a second portion of the clutchengageable with the first portion so as to form a driving connectiontherewith, movable means under the control of the operator and means forlimiting the movement thereof for rotating said second portion of theclutch and means for automatically causing the engagement of the firstportion to drive the rotary members and hence the sewing machine, firstin stitchforming direction from any position in the sequence ofmovements of stitch formation at which the machine may have stoppedthrough the completion of the stitch in process of formation and thenceinto the formation of the next stitch, but short of the place in thestitch formation at which said next stitch can be cast off, and then ina direction opposite to the direction of stitch formation until theneedle bar of the sewing machine is substantially elevated and means forthen automatically disconnecting said clutch, said means under thecontrol of the operator including also means for automaticallydisconnecting the brake of said drive mechanism and means to preventengaging the clutch thereof prior to movement of the sewing machine bysaid means under the control of the operator.

9. An apparatus of the type set forth in claim 8 further characterizedin that said means under the control of the operator comprises a levermovable arcuately between predetermined conditions and includes meansconnecting said lever to said second portion of the clutch for movingthe latter forwardly as the lever is moved in one direction andreversely as said lever is moved in the opposite direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that said meansunder the control of the operator includes a first electrical switch anda solenoid energized through said first electrical switch, said firstelectrical switch being actuated and said solenoid energized when saidmeans under the control of the operator is moved from a normal positionso as to actuate said solenoid, and first solenoid operated meansoperable to disconnect the brake of said power means, Without, however,engaging the clutch.

11. The apparatus of claim 1-0 further characterized in that said meansunder the control of the operator includes a second electrical switchand a second solenoid energized through said second electrical switch,means to actuate said second electrical switch before the firstelectrical switch so as to actuate the second solenoid controlledthereby, and second solenoid actuated means operable to prevent movementof said clutch-brake mechanism to a position where the clutch isengaged.

FRANKLIN CHATFIELD. STANLEY ROBERTS FOLSOM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 192,886 Warner July 10, 18771,352,226 Schoenky Sept. 7, 1920 1,850,708 Davis Mar. 22, 1932 2,158,484Poole et a1 May 16, 1939 2,277,475 Bilger Mar. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 576,765 Great Britain Apr. 17, 1946

